What we do

We fund life-saving heart research and work to improve heart disease prevention and care for all Australians.

Right now, 1.4 million Australians are living with heart disease, and each year more than 55,000 Australians suffer a heart attack. We're out to change that.

The Heart Foundation is dedicated to making a real difference to the heart health of Australians. Every day, our work includes:

• funding world-class cardiovascular research
• guiding health professionals on preventing and treating heart disease
• educating Australians about making healthy choices
• supporting people living with heart conditions
• advocating to government and industry to improve heart health in Australia.

Our goals

Healthy hearts

We want to make it easier for Australians to lead heart-healthy lives. We help to create environments with healthy options and give people information and support to enable them to look after their heart health.

Our focus is on a healthier food supply, more active living and a smoke-free Australia.

See what we're doing:

• Healthy eating
• Blueprint for an Active Australia (PDF)
  Government and community actions to increase population levels of physical activity and reduce sedentary behaviour in Australia, 2014-2017

Heart care

We want to help Australians have access to quality healthcare and ensure risk factors are well managed and cardiovascular disease is well treated.

We're focusing on earlier detection of risk, recognition of heart attack warning signs, better emergency care, and improved care for heart attack and heart failure.

See what we're doing:

• Heart Foundation Helpline
  The Heart Foundation Helpline provides free personalised information and support on heart health, nutrition and a healthy lifestyle.
• Information for professionals
  Guidelines, tools and training

Health equity

Some Australians have greater rates of heart disease. We want to address disparities in heart health so all Australians can live longer, healthier lives.

For example, we're working on better diagnosis and care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and access to care for people in rural and remote areas.

See what we're doing:

• Kyly Mills' research
  Kyly Mills, a Kamilaroi woman, is evaluating a chronic disease self-management program in an urban Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population.
• Heart Foundation Reconciliation Action Plan 2016 – 2016 (PDF)
• Cardiovascular risk profile of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

Evidence-based prevention and treatment

We want to generate and translate research evidence, to help all Australians have better heart health.

We're seeking to lead the building Australia's cardiovascular research capacity and improvement of research outcomes.

See what we're doing:

• Research
  Our research program, current projects and funding opportunities
• Kathryn Backholer's research
  Kathryn hopes her research will translate to improved health outcomes for all Australians, regardless of their socioeconomic position.